Scientists Found ‘Forever Chemicals’ in 95% of Beers

It seems that more and more people are becoming aware of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” which are found in a wide range of products and environments. As we previously reported, there has been a seven-fold increase in Google searches for the term “PFAS” over the last five years. While you may already know that these chemicals can be found on products that range from non-stick cookware to microwave popcorn bags, a new study reveals they are also widespread in beer. Here’s what you need to know before ordering your next pint.

What are PFAS chemicals? 

As Food & Wine previously explained, PFAS chemicals are manmade chemicals and have been commonly used in certain consumer products since the 1950s. These chemicals are popular in consumer goods as they “impart oil, water, stain, and soil repellency,” as well as “thermal stability and friction reduction,” the Regulatory Council of Interstate Technology explained. That includes many of those moisture-wicking fabrics found in some athleticwear, along with certain beauty products like some waterproof mascaras, and even in our electronics.

“PFAS is one of those super chemicals that can do just about anything, from making sure that your food doesn’t stick to your pan to letting you wear a piece of clothing that can wick away water and just about anything in between,” Dr. David Nadler,  research assistant professor at New York Institute of Technology, told F&W in 2024. “History shows us that these types of super chemicals that can do anything tend to be the most hazardous.”

Now, what did this study find? 

In April, researchers published their study, “Hold My Beer: The Linkage between Municipal Water and Brewing Location on PFAS in Popular Beverages,” in the journal ACS Environmental Science & Technology. The study analyzed beers brewed in various regions across the United States, including North Carolina, Michigan, Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Missouri, as well as international beers from Mexico and the Netherlands.

“As an occasional beer drinker myself, I wondered whether PFAS in water supplies was making its way into our pints,” research lead Jennifer Hoponick Redmon shared in a statement. “I hope these findings inspire water treatment strategies and policies that help reduce the likelihood of PFAS in future pours.”

According to Redmon, she and her team adapted an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method used to test PFAS levels in drinking water for analysis of 23 beers, including several brewed in regions with known water contamination, covering both domestic and international brands. They found PFAS in 95% of the beers tested, including perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The highest levels were detected in beers brewed near the Cape Fear River Basin in North Carolina, an area with documented PFAS pollution in the past, including both PFOS and PFOA.

What are some of the health consequences of PFAS exposure? 

The science of PFAS exposure is still evolving; however, Food & Wine previously pointed to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), which shared several “potential outcomes,” including changes in cholesterol and liver enzyme levels, changes in infant birth weight, and changes in the immune system and response to certain vaccines.

“One of the main outcomes is suppression of your immune responses after you get a vaccine,” Dr. Jamie DeWitt, the director of the Environmental Health Sciences Center at Oregon State University, who has long studied the human immune response to PFAS, shared. “The type of suppression that has been observed from PFAS and other environmental chemicals would be considered clinically to be mild to moderate. It doesn’t mean that people are going to immediately get sick and immediately have problems, but we know from studies of people who are mildly to moderately immunosuppressed that there is an increased risk of infection and there is an increased risk of other types of diseases such as cancer.”

So, what does this new study mean for beer?

Unfortunately, there is no real way to avoid PFAS in your beer other than not drinking it. The authors mention that while they identified water as the likely source of PFAS, they also state that it is “possible that additional sources contribute to PFAS.” This suggests that beer brewers could take responsibility for identifying and removing those sources to reduce the problem. As they concluded in the study, “By pinpointing the stages in the brewing process where PFAS contamination is most likely to occur, brewers can adopt best practices to minimize PFAS levels in their products. This not only enhances the quality and safety of the beer but also increases consumer trust and brand integrity.”

That said, it’s important to remember that the presence of PFAS in beer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s harmful at the levels detected. Many factors, including how much is consumed and the PFAS concentration, influence potential health effects. While staying informed is good, there’s no need to panic; this study is a step toward understanding and improving the brewing process for everyone’s benefit. Still, practicing moderation when drinking alcohol is wise, not just to ease concerns about PFAS, but also for overall health and well-being.